Ireland's Col

Lizzie Colvin credits George Compston as the man who set her off on World Cup journey

Reporter:

John Hooks

Email:

john.hooks@ulstergazette.co.uk

Tuesday 14 August 2018 14:31

ARMAGH’S Lizzie Colvin is on top of the world.

The former Armagh Ladies Hockey Club player has just become the only person from the city to have played in a hockey World Cup final.

Lizzie was part of the heroic Irish team which stunned the hockey world by storming into Sunday’s final before losing to Holland.

But getting to the final was beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. Ireland were the tournament minnows, going into the finals as the second lowest ranked team but topping their group which contained hosts England and India. The Irish players even had to pay part of their costs themselves to get to the finals.

Ireland beat Spain on Saturday after penalties but Sunday’s World Cup final proved to be a bridge too far on this roller-coaster ride.

“This has just been the most incredible journey,” Lizzie told the Ulster Gazette. “We have been in a bubble for the whole tournament but to now see the reaction it is just unbelievable.

“To come home with the silver medal is indescribable.”

Lizzie (28) paid tribute to the fans who took over the stadium in London, turning it into a sea of green.

“The supporters have been amazing, we really can’t thank them enough. It was like playing at home due to the number of fans we had with us.

“We are so humbled by the reaction to our success and if we inspire younger players to take up the sport then that will be amazing.

“The team has shown what it can do without major funding, we have shown we can compete with the best in the world so it would be great to see what we can achieve with some proper funding. There is a feeling that we could really go somewhere now and put Irish hockey on the map.”

Lizzie, who hails from the Loughgall Road, credits the late George Compston as the man who helped forge her love affair with the sport.

“I began playing hockey under George Compston and he was brilliant,” she said.